Department of Biology

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Department of Biology

Biology, the study of life, contributes broadly to human welfare in areas such as medicine, biotechnology, agriculture, the environment, and the food industry.

The biologists in the Department of Biology work together to integrate their individual disciplines into a unified course of study that is focused on meeting students' needs and exposing students to the various aspects of fields of biology.
 
Starting in Fall 2020, we will be offering a Bachelor of Science in Biology. This major provides students with a solid foundation in the study of living organisms. Students will be able to explore different areas of biology and they will have the flexibility to take a number of courses across various areas of biology, including genetics, cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology, ecology, evolution, anatomy, and physiology. Students have the ability to specialize by completing courses leading to concentrations in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, or Ecology and Evolution, or to create their own pathway based on their particular interests and career aspirations. 
 
Students completing the Bachelor of Science – Biology will be able to apply for designation as a Professional Biologist. The curriculum of this program meets the requirements of this designation, which is required for employment as a Biologist in both British Columbia and Alberta.
 
As of Fall 2020 semester, we will no longer be offering admission into the Cellular and Molecular Biology and Health Science majors. We will continue to offer these majors for current students enrolled in these programs. 
 
The Department of Biology also offers courses that can be used towards a major in General Science, a biology minor, or as your General Education requirements. We also offer courses for students enrolled in nursing, physical education and midwifery. For a full list of courses please see the Academic Calendar.

  

MRU Biology in the News

 

Alexandria Farmer, MSc. - Okotoks Today interview

Alexandria Farmer, Biology Senior Lab Instructor and Alberta Native Bee Council founding member, was featured in a story about Pollinator Week taking place June 21-27, 2021.  Read the story in its entirety HERE.

Providing an excellent example:

Dr. Trevor Day, Ph.D., of the Department of Biology, has been awarded the 2021 Mentor Award from the Health Sciences Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research. The nomination for this award was co-ordinated by previous MRU students, who provided letters of support, with input provided from current students and Dr. Sarah Hewitt, Ph.D., acting chair of biology.

Physiology researcher Trevor Day named to RSC’s College of New Scholars - LINK


Dr. Jonathan Mee - Global News Interview

Johnson Lake drained in effort to elimate parasite


Dr. Tonya Mousseau - CTV Interview

Catch them while you can:  Butterfly Boom in Calgary!


Dr. Tonya Mousseau - CBC News

Dr. Tonya Mousseau contributed to a CBC article where she discussed the role of insect populations decline as a contributed factor to bird declines.  Read the article in it's entirety Here.


Research by Biology Professor, Dr. Jonathan Mee, was featured in a recent New York Times article about the potential loss of US Federal protections for marine national monuments.

 

Biology in the Community

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - April 12, 2021

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - April 6, 2021

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - March 15, 2021

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - February 24, 2021

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - February 15, 2021

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - January 25, 2021

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - January 18, 2021

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - December 8, 2020

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - December 2, 2020

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - November 24, 2020

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - November 9, 2020

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - November 2, 2020

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - October 26, 2020

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - October 13, 2020

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - October 6, 2020

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - September 28, 2020

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - September 22, 2020

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - September 14, 2020

BIOBEAT NEWSLETTER - September 9, 2020

BIOBEAT NEWLSETTER - September 4, 2020